History of the VMR in Queensland
Volunteer marine rescue services have been operating along the Queensland coast for some 90 years. These volunteer marine rescue units were originally formed to fullfil a perceived need in their local area for the preservation of life of the local boating community. They are non-profit, totally voluntary, community based, community service organisations.
Although these organisations receive funding assistance from the Queensland
Government, their continued operation is dependent on the financial support
provided by the local communities.
The current structure, locations and forms of the volunteer marine rescue
services have been developed and refined over a number of decades in response
to changing community needs.
Until early 1991, the volunteer marine rescue services had coordinated their
own development and operations linking with the relevant government departments
on an "as needs" basis. Those needs included matters relating to
subsidy funding, volunteer workers compensation, training, communications,
surveillance of the boating community and search and rescue.
It had become apparent that the multiple links with government were dysfunctional in terms of effective service provision. There was a perception that service provision could be enhanced through some changes to the operating systems existing at the time. It was acknowledged that any changes would have a significant impact on a large section of the community, hence the then Bureau of Emergency Services made a commitment to work with the volunteer groups to identify and resolve the issues.
In February 1991, the Bureau prepared a discussion paper on volunteer marine rescue services in Queensland, forming the basis for debate, discussion and final decisions regarding future arrangements for the direction of high quality volunteer marine rescue services in Queensland. It was developed to reflect the government's commitment to improved accountability and rationalisation of services within Queensland.
The aim of the review was to improve service provision and create a single coordination point within Government for volunteer marine rescue organisations. As a result of the review, the position of Manager VMR Services was established.
The Queensland Cabinet on 18 May 1987 formed the Queensland Volunteer Marine Rescue Committee (QVMRC). On the 14 March 1988, Cabinet confirmed the committee's charter, with some revisions being made following the 1991 review into Volunteer Marine Rescue Services in Queensland. The Minister for Emergency Services reaffirmed the role and charter of the committee in June 1996.
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